Third Grade welcomed yet another mystery reader. The students were very excited because this was at the end of the busy trimester week. Mr. Tito Shirley, Zahra’s dad read us a beautiful book Islandborn by Junot Diaz
When Ms. Obi asks her students to draw a picture of the country they are originally from, the children are excited. All except for Lola, “What if you left before you could start remembering?” As Lola talks to some of her neighbors from the Island to draw from their memories, she learns of bats as big as blankets; a love of music and dancing; coconut water and sweet mangoes; and an island where “Even the people are like a rainbow—every shade ever made.” With a place so beautiful, Lola wonders, why did people leave? Reluctantly, Mr. Mir, the building superintendent, tells her of a Monster that fell upon their Island and did as he pleased for 30 years.
Though never mentioned by name, the country in question is the Dominican Republic. As Lola learns more about her Island, the illustrations cleverly incorporate a plethora of tropical plants and color, bringing to life both Lola’s neighborhood and La Isla.
Mr. Tito Shirley was welcomed with a drum roll by the enthusiastic third graders and a thunderous applause when he finished reading the book. Thank you very much for being part of our third grade family!
